Includes bibliographical references (pages 270-280)
Includes indexes
Machine derived contents note: Preface -- Abbreviations -- Introduction -- 1. The project -- 2. The social sciences and New Testament interpretation -- 3. Methodological limits and possibilities -- 4. Where from here? -- Part I. Paul: Community-Building Institutionalization: 5. Attitidues to the world/ethics -- 6. Ministry -- 7. Ritual -- 8. Belief -- 9. General conclusion -- Part II. Colossians and Ephesians: Community-Stabilizing Institutionalization: 10. Attitudes to the world/ethics -- 11. Ministry -- 12. Ritual -- 13. Belief -- 14. General conclusion -- Part III. The Pastoral Epistles: Community-Protecting Institutionalization: 15. Attitidues to the world/ethics -- 16. Ministry -- 17. Ritual -- 18. Belief -- Conclusion -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index of Biblical passages discussed -- Subject index